Toy railroad assembly

ABSTRACT

A versatile toy railroad assembly in which various track layouts may be formed by different arrangements of square boards, each board having a depressed track section therein adapted to communicate with track sections on contiguous boards to define a track layout whose pattern is determined by the manner in which the boards are interrelated. The boards are also provided with peg holes adapted to receive the supporting pegs of diversified scenic elements, such that by straddling adjacent boards with scenic elements, the boards are interlocked thereby to maintain a predetermined layout.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Robert Genin 3,402,503 9/1968 Glass etal .4 46/217X Scarsdale.N.Y. 3,438,145 4/1969 Genin 46/216 [21] p 839F180 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene [22] Flled Jul 7, 1969 A sslstant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting [45] Patented May 1971 Altornev-Michael Ebert [73] Assignee Child Guidance Toys, Inc.

Bronx, N.Y.

[54] TOY RAILROAD ASSEMBLY 8Claims 7Drawin H s.

g g ABSTRACT: A versatile toy railroad assembly in which vari- U.S. ous track layouts may be formed different arrangements of 233/10 square boards, each board having a depressed track section therein adapted to ommunicate {rack sections on con- Field Of Search [iguous boards to define a [rack lay ut whose pattern is deter- 217; 238/ 10 mined by the manner in which the boards are interrelated. The boards are also provided with peg holes adapted to receive the [56] References Cited supporting pegs of diversified scenic elements. such that by UNITED STATES PATENTS straddling adjacent boards with scenic elements, the boards 3,377,741 4/1968 Ryan 46/2l6X are interlocked thereby to maintain a predetermined layout.

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1336827- GEN/N TOY RAILROAD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to toy railroads, and more particularly to a toy railroad assembly in which the tack layout is defined by square boards having grooves therein to create a track section, the boards being capable of being interrelated in various ways to interconnect the track sections to form different track layout.

In the conventional toy railroad, the track layout which determines the route taken by a motorized train is produced by interconnecting straight, curved and intersecting doublerail track sections. By pulling these sections apart and putting them together again in a different pattern, one may produce a variety of track layouts. But once a particular track layout has been created and scenic elements have been associated and coordinated therewith, such as bridges, tunnels, trees and houses, it becomes a difficult and time-consuming task to break up the existing layout and to set up a new route.

Moreover, a fairly high order of skill is involved in setting up a conventional toy railroad. Where the toy is intended for young children, in say, the to 8 year range, the child must usually enlist an adult, if one is available, to assist him in altering the layout, for the child lacks the necessary skills. Children are reluctant to involve adults in their games and tend, therefore, to discard toys which they are incapable of playing with by themselves.

To simplify track layouts and to reduce the cost of toy railroads, it is known to provide trackways in the form of grooves indented in a plastic panel, the movement of the train being confined to the channels formed thereby. The drawback to this arrangement is that, while the player need not enlist an adult, the track layout is permanent and cannot be altered, so that the play possibilities are very limited and the childs interest in the toy is quickly exhausted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the main object of the invention to provide a toy railroad assembly in which a great many tracks layouts are possible to create hundreds of different routes, the change from one layout to another being accomplished simply and with the exercise of minimal skill.

More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide a toy railroad of the above type in which the layout is defined by a set of square boards, each having grooves thereon to create a track section, the boards being capable of being assembled in various ways to interconnect the track sections and to produce a large range of different track layouts.

Also an object of the invention is to provide boards of the type described above, which include operating switches to alter the route taken by the train, the switches being so arranged that when incorrectly set by the operator, they are automatically set right by the moving train.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a railroad train whose direction is automatically reversible, the train including a locomotive which may be automatically coupled or uncoupled with a gondola car.

A further object of the invention is to provide a highly versatile railroad assembly which is of sturdy and efficient design and yet may be manufactured at relatively low cost.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished in a railroad assembly including a set of square boards having like dimensions, each board having a depressed track section therein adapted to communicate with track sections on adjacent boards to define a layout whose pattern is determined by the manner in which the boards are assembled in a common plane. The boards are also provided on their raised areas with peg holes adapted to receive the supporting pegs of scenic elements, such that by straddling adjacent boards with scenic elements, the boards are interlocked thereby to maintain a predetermined layout. Associated with the track sections on the boards are switches adapted to direct a moving train in a selected direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy railroad assembly in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows one corner of the track layout, with one of the boards in the set being separated from the other boards associated therewith to illustrate the manner of assembly.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a reversing and decoupling extension associated with the boards shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same comer of the assembly showing the locomotive entering the extension.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate the manner in which the locomotive moves into engagement with a gondola.

FIG. 6 is the same as FIG. 5, except that the locomotive is now coupled to the gondola; and

FIG. 7 shows, in perspective, another track layout.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a toy railroad assembly in accordance with the invention wherein the track layout is defined by nine square boards I to IX which, in the example illustrates, are so interrelated as to fonn a rectangular panel. In practice the boards may be assembled on a table top to create a model railroad system. A great many alternative arrangements of the boards are possible, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7, to be later discussed. The boards may be molded of plastic or made of any similar low-cost material, and while FIG. 1 shows a set of nine boards, in practice a set may be composed of a greater or smaller number.

Riding on the trackway is a train including a locomotive 10 whose wheels are driven by a reversible, battery-operated electric motor of standard design. The motor is controlled by a switch having an actuator pin 11 projecting outside the locomotive cab, the switch pin being shiftable within a slot 11A, such that in the leading position of the pin the locomotive is driven in the forward direction, and in the trailing position the locomotive is driven in the reverse direction. The switch effects this action by reversing the polarity of the battery voltage applied to the motor. The locomotive 10 is coupled to a gondola car 12.

Each board is provided with a grooved track section (T to T forming a depressed channel to confine train movement. The raised areas of the boards have peg holes I-I bored therein which are adapted to receive snap-fit scenery items, such as barn 13, tunnel 14, bridge 15, tree 16, fence 17, building 18 and church 19. These items, when positioned to straddle contiguous boards, function not only to lend scenic interest to the railroad layout, but also to hold these boards together. Because peg holes are dispersed throughout the entire layout, the player is free toplace scenic elements wherever he pleases.

Thus, church 19, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with a base having four pegs P projecting therebelow, which pegs are adapted to enter correspondingly positioned peg holes H in boards I, II, IV and V to interlock these boards. In practice therefore, after a particular board arrangement is laid out, the board may be maintained in this relationship by applying scenic items thereto which hold the boards together. To disassemble a given layout, one merely removes the connecting scenic elements, at which point one is free to reassemble the boards in a new layout.

The configuration of the track sections T to T on the boards is such that when the boards are interrelated in any desired fashion, the track lines of one board register with and join the lines of adjacent boards, with a resultant track pattern which depends on the configuration and the orientation of theboards. In FIG. 1, it will be seen that the configurations of the several track sections are as follows:

Board I Board II Track section T 4 Board III Track section T 1 Board IV Track section T Board V Track section T Board VI Track section T 4 Board VII Track section T V Board VIII Track section T V Board IX Track section T T It will be appreciated that the configurations represented above indicate the track section curvatures for the board positions shown in FIG. 1, but since each four-sided board may be oriented in four different ways, each board is capable of presenting four distinct configurations. With the exception of board V showing an intersecting track section, the other sections are composed of a straight portion and one or more curved portions merging with the straight portion. The degree of complexity of the track layout depends, of course, on how the boards are interrelated.

As shown in FIG. 2 in connection with board I, track section T has a curved portion which communicates with a straight portion. A switch S is provided in the form of a pivoted arm which, in the position shown, blocks the junction of the curved portion and the straight portion so that a train going along the straight portion from right to left will not be diverted therefrom. However, if arm 20, whose angular position is adjustable by a lever 21 operated by a handle 22, is caused to assume the position shown in dotted lines, then the train will be intercepted by switch arm 20 and diverted from the straight portion of track section T into the curved portion.

In board IV shown in FIG. 2, wherein track section T is formed by a Y whose two curved legs lead to a straight track portion, three switches S S and S, are provided in conjunction therewith. Switch S is operative to lead a train entering the foot of the Y-portion into either of the two curved legs, whereas switch S is operative to lead a train entering the straight portion into one of the legs of the Y portion or into the straight portion Switch 5,, serves a similar function with respect to the other leg of the Y and the straight portion of the track section. Thus, not only is it possible with this arrangement to set up a great many different track layouts but, within a given layout, routing possibilities exist by reason of various switching actions under the manual control of the player.

In the event a switch arm is positioned to block a particular track passage and the player nevertheless directs the train into" the block passage, this will not result in a derailment, for the moving locomotive will swing the pivoted arm to clear the passage.

In FIG. 1 there are shown four extensions E E I5 and E which are coupled to boards I, III, VII and IX, the extensions serving to effect reversal or decoupling of a train entering therein. The structure of each extension may best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, where extension E is shown as linked to board I by means of the pegs of two scenic elements (signal light 23 and transformer housing 24) which straddle the extension and the board and are snap fitted into appropriate peg holes to effect interlocking thereof.

Extension E, is provided with a straight track T which registers with the straight portion of track T of board I and leads to a tiltable ramp 25 terminating in a barrier 26. A peg mounted arch 27 is placed over track T near the entrance thereof, the arch straddling the track. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, when locomotive 10, moving backwards, enters extension E,, the right column of arch 27 intercepts actuator pin 11 of the reversing switch for the locomotive motor, and as the locomotive continues to move, the pin is shifted from the-trailing to the leading position on slot 11A, at which point the locomotive reverses direction and moves out of the extension into the main trackway. Thus, the player is able to reverse movement without actually handling the locomotive, for by directing the locomotive into an extension, this action is effected automatically.

In practice, a player may manipulate the switches on the boards so as to route the locomotive into any one of the extensions for the purpose of reversing the direction of travel. It is to be noted that in the example given in FIGS. 4 to 6, the locomotive backs into the extension E and is caused to reverse direction and to thereafter travel forwardly. But should the locomotive enter an extension in the forward direction, it will be caused to back out of the extension. The extensions, therefore, serve to effect a reversal of the existing direction of travel.

It will be noted in FIG. 4 that gondola 12 is decoupled from locomotive 10. Coupling between the locomotive and gondola is effected by a hook 28 projecting forwardly from the front end of the gondola, which hook is shaped to ride over and engage a curved flange 29 projecting from the rear of the locomotive. When locomotive 10 is coupled to gondola 12 and backs into an extension, such as extension E, as shown in FIG. 5, the ramp 25, which is provided with an offcenter fulcrum 25A, is caused to tilt when the gondola rests thereon, as a consequence of which the front end of the gondola is raised and hook 28 lifts out of engagement with flange 29.

Thus, when locomotive 10 backs into extension E the gondola is disengaged therefrom just before actuator pin 11 acts to reverse the motor, and when the locomotive then leaves the extension, it departs without the gondola, which remains therein.

In order to recouple the gondola with the locomotive, the ramp must be returned to the level position shown in FIG. 6, at which position, when the locomotive backs into the extension, the hook 28 reengages flange 29. Adjustment of the ramp position is effected, as best seen in FIG. 3, by a pivoted lever 30 which lies under ramp 25 and is transversely disposed with respect thereto, the lever being provided with a handle 31.

When lever 30 is shifted from right to left, it rides under fulcrum 25A to lift ramp 25 to an extent limited by stop post 32 which operates in a slot to prevent the ramp from rising above the horizontal plane. Thus the player, by shifting the ramp lever handle 31, may determine whether the gondola is to be coupled or decoupled.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown another layout of the same nine boards I to IX, in conjunction with extensions E to E the boards being interrelated and latched together by scenic elements to produce a track layout altogether different from that in FIG. 1, and creating a distinct new range of route possibilities. It is not essential, in interrelating these boards, that they be in side-by-side relation, as in FIG. 1, for as shown by the relationship of boards VI, II and VIII, all that is necessary is that the track sections of the boards be in registration with each other, and this may be accomplished with contiguous boards whose sides are mutually displaced.

While there have been shown and described, preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. A toy railroad assembly comprising:

A. a set of square boards, each board having a depressed track section adapted to communicate with track sections on contiguously placed boards to define a track layout whose pattern is determined by the manner in which the boards are interrelated, the boards in said set all having the same dimensions but having track sections of distinct geometry such that each board is orientable in four different ways and is capable of presenting four different configurations each of which may be mated with configurations of the other boards to provide a desired track layout pattern, the raised areas of the board having peg holes formed therein,

B. a plurality of scenic elements, each element having pegs receivable in said holes, whereby by straddling contiguous boards the element serves to interlock the boards, and

C. a motorized train movable in said track layout.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said blocks includes a track section having a straight portion and at least one curved portion leading into the straight portion.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, further including a manually operated switch provided with a pivoted arm at the junction of the curved and straight portions of the track section and adapted to block or unblock said junction.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said train includes a locomotive having a battery-operated motor controlled by a switch having an actuator pin projecting laterally from the cab of the locomotive and shiftable within a slot, the locomotive being driven in the forward direction when the pin occupies a leading position in a slot, and in the reverse direction when the pin occupies a trailing position in the slot.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, further including a scenic element in the form of an arch having pegs receivable in said peg holes and disposed to straddle a track section whereby when the locomotive goes through an arch, the actuator pin is intercepted by an arch column and caused to shift position, thereby reversing the direction of movement of the locomotive.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, further including at least one extension attachable to one of said boards and provided with a straight track section arranged to register with the track section of said board, said straight track section leading to a tiltable ramp terminating in a barrier, whereby a car coupled to the locomotive may be backed into the ramp to cause the ramp to tilt to uncouple the car from the locomotive.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said extension includes means to adjust the position of the ramp from a tilted to a horizontal position.

8. A toy railroad assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peg holes formed in the raised areas of each board are dispersed thereon, some holes being located adjacent the edges of the board whereby a scenic element pegged therein serves to interlock contiguously placed boards, other holes on either side of the track section whereby a scenic element pegged therein forms a bridge over the track section. 

1. A toy railroad assembly comprising: A. a set of square boards, each board having a depressed track section adapted to communicate with track sections on contiguously placed boards to define a track layout whose pattern is determined by the manner in which the boards are interrelated, the boards in said set all having the same dimensions but having track sections of distinct geometry such that each board is orientable in four different ways and is capable of presenting four different configurations each of which may be mated with configurations of the other boards to provide a desired track layout pattern, the raised areas of the board having peg holes formed therein, B. a plurality of scenic elements, each element having pegs receivable in said holes, whereby by straddling contiguous boards the element serves to interlock the boards, and C. a motorized train movable in said track layout.
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said blocks includes a track section having a straight portion and at least one curved portion leading into the straight portion.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, further including a manually operated switch provided with a pivoted arm at the junction of the curved and straight portions of the track section and adapted to block or unblock said junction.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said train includes a locomotive having a battery-operated motor controlled by a switch having an actuator pin projecting laterally from the cab of the locomotive and shiftable within a slot, the locomotive being driven in the forward direction when the pin occupies a leading position in a slot, and in the reverse direction when the pin occupies a trailing position in the slot.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, further including a scenic element in the form of an arch having pegs receivable in said peg holes and disposed to straddle a track section whereby when the locomotive goes through an arch, the actuator pin is intercepted by an arch column and caused to shift position, thereby reversing the direction of movement of the locomotive.
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, further including at least one extension attachable to one of said boards and provided with a straight track section arranged to register with the track section of said board, said straight track section leading to a tiltable ramp terminating in a barrier, whereby a car coupled to the locomotive may be backed into the ramp to cause the ramp to tilt to uncouple the car from the locomotive.
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said extension includes means to adjust the position of the ramp from a tilted to a horizontal position.
 8. A toy railroad assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peg holes formed in the raised areas of each board are dispersed thereon, some holes being located adjacent the edges of the board whereby a scenic element pegged therein serves to interlock contiguously placed boards, other holes on either side of the track section whereby a scenic element pegged therein forms a bridge over the track section. 